Bermuda Players Selected For West Indies Squad
Four players from the Bermuda national rugby team — Corrie Cross, Jahniko Francis, Najee Pitt-Clarke, and Hadleigh Tucker — have been selected to represent the West Indies at the Tropical 7s tournament in Florida.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Rugby Football Union [BRFU] is proud to celebrate the selection of four exceptional Bermudian athletes to the newly revived West Indies Rugby Sevens teams, set to compete at the prestigious Tropical 7s Tournament in Tampa, Florida from April 18–19, 2025.
“Corrie Cross, Jahniko Francis, Najee Pitt-Clarke and Hadleigh Tucker will don the iconic West Indies jersey as part of the men’s and women’s squads, representing a unified Caribbean rugby identity reborn after nearly three decades.
“The West Indies Rugby Sevens team, first active in the 1990s, was created as a pioneering effort to unite top rugby talent from across the Caribbean—including Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, and Bermuda—into a single elite squad. The team competed in prestigious tournaments such as the Hong Kong Sevens, bringing flair, speed, and vibrant island culture to the global stage. Its revival in 2025 marks a watershed moment for the region, bringing together a new generation of athletes under one banner.
“In a full-circle moment, Jonathan Cassidy, a former West Indies Sevens player in the 1990s and long-time contributor to Bermuda rugby as the Director of Sevens, returns to the programme in a new and meaningful role—as men’s team manager for the Tropical Sevens tournament. His inclusion adds an invaluable layer of leadership and continuity to the team, linking past and present in one of Caribbean rugby’s most culturally significant comeback stories.”
Mr. Cassidy said, “I am deeply honoured and proud to have been appointed as West Indies men’s team manager for the Tropical Sevens tournament. This role holds a special place in my heart, as it comes 25 years after I had the incredible privilege of being selected in the first West Indies rugby team as a player.
“The memories of playing for West Indies are etched in my mind – competing alongside the best players from all over the region, achieving success in Hong Kong, South America, Europe, and the UK, and, most importantly, forging lifelong friendships.”
The spokesperson said, “The BRFU is honoured to see four of its own rise to this occasion, carrying forward the island’s rugby legacy with pride and purpose.”
Najee Pitt-Clarke, selected to the women’s squad, shared: “It’s a huge honor to be selected for the West Indies team. Coming from Bermuda, I’ve always carried a deep pride in representing my island, but being part of a team that brings together the best of Caribbean rugby is something truly special. It’s not just about playing at a high level—it’s about building something bigger than ourselves and showing the world what this region is capable of. I’m excited to contribute everything I have and grow alongside some incredibly talented athletes.”
Hadleigh Tucker, named to the men’s team, said: “Since the announcement of the return of the West Indies 7s, I have been laser focused on getting game ready for the tournament. I am truly humbled to be a part of the program and going into the Tropical 7s, other than enjoying the experience, I want to represent our nation to the best of my ability. I’m itching to get on the field and show what Bermuda and the Caribbean nations combined have to offer to rugby 7s—and hopefully come back home with some silverware!”
Corrie Cross, selected for the women’s team, reflected: “I’m honored and slightly nervous. I’ve heard of the West Indies rugby team but it was active before my time, so to be a part of its revival now is special. I’m hoping as a team we can find synergy early and come together to show the tournament a ‘Caribbean style’ of rugby. I think having the West Indies team as a collective of rugby talent to represent the potential throughout the Caribbean is important for the development of the sport. It also is an opportunity to put Caribbean rugby to the forefront and let the rest of the global rugby community know the Caribbean has talented athletes.”
Jahniko Francis, who also joins the men’s squad, added: “The revival of the West Indies team is a historic moment and I am honoured to be selected. You’re only ever the caretaker of the jersey… you never actually own it, you’re just borrowing it. I know we will go out there and get the job done, but during the tournament we will be borrowing the history of that jersey as we step onto the field.”
West Indies Rugby commented: “We are extremely grateful for the support from Coralisle Group, who are the team’s lead sponsor for this tournament.
“CG Insurance operates in all of the individual countries represented by West Indies, and we trust that our shared values will align for a mutually beneficial, long-term partnership.”
